Kelsey Park is a large park within Beckenham that serves as an important wildlife habitat but also as a community hub. As a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) as well as being adjacent to the Manor Way Conservation area, it is widely seen as being one of the borough’s ‘flagship’ parks.
The park features two lakes (Upper and Lower Lake) which were formed by damming The Beck, an Environment Agency main river, within Kelsey Park. There is a silt trap upstream of the Upper Lake. The lakes fall within the Ravensbourne catchment.
It was originally the landscaped garden of the Kelsey Manor Estate. The garden (excluding the manor house) was obtained by the Beckenham Urban District Council in 1911. The original 3-meter-high waterfall, located between the lakes, still stands today and is a treasured historical asset. There is a very popular children’s playground, café, tennis court and mini-golf amenities, public toilet facilities, and an historic icehouse. The no dog area of the park is along the western side of the lakes.
The Friends of Kelsey Park are a very active group, and their objectives are focused on the conservation and protection of Kelsey Park’s ecology, fauna and flora, and its natural beauty. The group provides information on the park’s history and its natural history and to foster “the quiet enjoyment of the Park”. The Friends of Kelsey Park are based in the information centre in the park, near the Manor Way entrance.
The following site links provide details of current and upcoming works that are being undertaken within Kelsey Park to support its significance as a key park within the borough.
Stay in touch and be notified of any project updates and consultation events for either the desilting or bridge projects.
If you have further enquiries regarding the projects, please contact us through the email address: ParksEngagement@bromley.gov.uk